| Introduction to Psychology |
Exam type:
CLEP: 100 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes
Typical credits: 3 units
The material covered in the CLEP exam in psychology (which is reflected in the lecture notes and study guide which follow) is generally considered equivalent to a one semester lower division college course.
NOTE: There is no on-line course that appears to relate directly to the CLEP Exam. I have drawn from several courses and some guest lectures that seem to reflect the content required on the CLEP.(I didn't promise you a rose garden. See disclaimer.) This suggested study guide is based on the work of psychology professors who have generously posted their lectures and outlines on the Web, plus a small selection from the thousands of psychology-related links on the Web.
Key areas covered include:
- History, Approaches and Research Methodology
- Biological Basis of Behavior
- Sensation and Perception
- States of Consciouness
- Learning
- Cognition
- Motivation and Emotion
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality
- Psychological Disorders and Health
- Treatment of Disorders
- Social Psychology
- Statistics, Tests and Measurements
These 13 major sections (according to the College Board) are treated about evenly, with a little heavier emphasis on Learning and a little less on Statistics. Most standard college textbooks contain chapters with similar headings. There seems to be very little emphasis placed on the biographies of key figures in the field, except as they relate to Approaches and Treatment. Always check with The College Board for the latest information.
Getting Started
Preliminary Overview: Check a major encyclopedia under the following headings andfollow cross references. Remember to take notes and make entries in your diary.
- Psychology, History
- Psychology (main heading)
- Nervous System (human)
- Sleep
- Psychology, Comparative
- Psychological Measurement
- Learning
- Memory
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychosis
- Psychiatry
- Psychoanalysis
- Social Psychology (may be included in above)
Introduction
To ease your way into the subject you should look at Serendip : Guest Exhibitions Mind and Body: Rene Descartes to William James : Bryn Mawr
You should also bookmark and print out the main menu of the psychology links of the Amoeba Web from Vanguard University of southern California. Follow subject specific links (eg. Learning) as you complete each subject area.
For those of you who have little background in Psychology and have Broadband Access, you might want to review the 5 part Annenberg/CPB series Seasons of Life. While the prime focus is life-span development, this series may help you by providing the big picture. Following are the links to the seven Units of the Study Guide:Unit 1: History, Approaches, Methods
Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior / Sensation and Perception
Unit 3: States of Consciousness / Learning
Unit 4: Cognition / Motivation & Emotion
Unit 5: Developmental Psychology / Personality
Unit 6: Psychological Disorders and Health / Treatment of Psychological Disorders
Unit 7: Statistics, Tests, and Measurement/ Social Psychology
NEXT 
|
| Campus Map - Homepage | Administration | Library | Lecture Hall | Student Support Center |
|Computer Center | Student Union | Outside Resources |
Free University Online:
e-mail to: freeuniv1@yahoo.com
500 Kentucky Ave.
Savannah, GA 31404
tel: (912) 233-4288 fax: (912) 233-4815
Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004 Free University Online
Home Page URL = http://www.freeuniv.com
Some portions are also copyright the Annenberg/CPB Channel. Used with permission.